Polokwane Rapper Drew XL Talks The Hip hop Condition in his Hood | How Legends like HHP & Khuli Chana Inspired him into the Game + More

Drew XL; Real name Andrew Tebogo Magombo. Born and raised in the City of Stars, Polokwane in the township of Seshego. Rapper/MC, songwriter and photographer.

Who or what got you into Hip hop?

The freedom of expression you find in hip-hop is what drew me to the genre and the culture of hip hop. First as a listener and eventually an enthusiast and ultimately a rapper. I do not have a single reason or artist I can attribute my passion for hip-hop to however I have been inspired by many From the likes of Nas, Ms Laurin Hill, HHP, Common, Khuli Chana etc

What is the good and the bad thing about Hip hop around your hood?

The Polokwane music scene is more interested in dance music than content based music. It is really difficult to get people interested in your music without adding something more rhythmic they could listen to alongside the lyrics. The one huge positive is that there is a great number of people who enjoy hip-hop and enjoy it even more when you write/Rap in their language. 

What is this one song that made a lot of people to know or love Drew XL?

It’s actually a tie between two songs, “CGE” and “Nothing Comes Easy”. Most people discovered me through ‘CGE’ and when they listen to my catalogue most people reach out to me to tell me how much they relate to ‘Nothing Comes Easy’.

What have you Achieved through Hip hop in your Journey?

The love from the people in my city is really the biggest trophy I’ve won. But the write up from HYPE magazine  for my EP, ‘What Can I Say?’ really helped out with exposure. 

How is the response from your family and friends towards your music journey?

My friends have always been supportive of my endeavours but my family was uncomfortable with the idea. Now with my latest release; “Paid in Full” they’ve really been supportive. My nieces know my lyrics.

What do you write about on most of your songs and why?

I write about normal everyday life, struggles and wins. I love to keep my lyrics as personal as possible, telling my story on records. I write about this because my listeners find it most relatable and I get to vent, free therapy.

Drew XL… what’s the story behind this stage name?

Drew comes from my first name Andrew and the XL is just a play on my size. I felt there are too many ‘Big so and so’s’ and ‘Lil so and so’s’  so I just put my actual clothing size on my name. Kinda making it easy for people to send me clothes lol.

Who is your Celebrity Crush and Why?

FILAH LAH LAH any time, anywhere and anyhow. 

Shout Outs

Huge Shoutout to my nieces: Bontle and Dikgaogelo. Shoutout Gabila 1 of 1, Pablo 300, TheBoyIsDivine, Izxk015, MalcomZee and the biggest s/o goes out to my favourite lady rapper Ms Kulie, Generational talent.